"Life has two rules: 1) never quit, 2) remember rule #1." -Anonymous
Introduction
Italian fouettés are a beautiful alternative to traditional fouetté turns, and are best known for their presence in several classical ballets from "Sleeping Beauty" to "Bayadère." Although they look light and smooth, successful Italian fouettés require incredible core strength and precision. Here's what to keep in mind:
If you keep these things in mind, you will find that Italian fouettés are not as challenging as they may seem.
- Break it down into 2 parts: the developpé and the flip
- Take a deep fondu
- Brush through the first position
- Stay square with your shoulders and hips
If you keep these things in mind, you will find that Italian fouettés are not as challenging as they may seem.
The Logistics
You can break down the fouetté into two parts. The first involves the developpé in écarté devant, and the second involves the fouetté "flip" into attitude derriére. For the developpé, take a deep fondu in coupé and move into the extension with some gusto. Instead of trying to inch up to the position, use a good amount of energy to bring your leg up. This will make the movement exciting to watch, and it will also provide you with enough momentum to finish the turn part of the fouetté.
Once you have finished your écarté line, swing your extended leg down into first position with a deep plié. By the time you get to the first position, you should be facing the back corner of the room (or "your box"). Just as with any fouetté, your turn should go through your devant (front), à la seconde (side), and finally derrière (back) positions, before moving into attitude back. As you swing your leg through, use your plié to keep your body in line and to give you some extra momentum to complete the turn. In addition, as you turn, bring your opposite side (shoulder, torso, and hip) all the way around so that you stay square as you come around to croissé.
Don't forget to coordinate your arms with your movement! As you go into the first position, your arms should go to en bas, then move into first position. As you finish the 'flip,' one arm will go up into fifth en haut, and the other will stay in first.
Tip: Though bringing either arm up is acceptable as you complete the turn, I always recommend that you bring the upstage arm up. This helps you to get your opposite side around so that you stay square.
Once you have finished your écarté line, swing your extended leg down into first position with a deep plié. By the time you get to the first position, you should be facing the back corner of the room (or "your box"). Just as with any fouetté, your turn should go through your devant (front), à la seconde (side), and finally derrière (back) positions, before moving into attitude back. As you swing your leg through, use your plié to keep your body in line and to give you some extra momentum to complete the turn. In addition, as you turn, bring your opposite side (shoulder, torso, and hip) all the way around so that you stay square as you come around to croissé.
Don't forget to coordinate your arms with your movement! As you go into the first position, your arms should go to en bas, then move into first position. As you finish the 'flip,' one arm will go up into fifth en haut, and the other will stay in first.
Tip: Though bringing either arm up is acceptable as you complete the turn, I always recommend that you bring the upstage arm up. This helps you to get your opposite side around so that you stay square.